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THE VIEWS FROM COLLEGE ROCK

College Rock can be reached with a little scrambling that’s rewarded by encompassing views of the Huntington Lake basin. To the southwest, views reach into the Central Valley, and, on an exceptionally clear day, the silhouette of the Coast Range often appears more than 100 miles along the western horizon.

Continuing, the path narrows and continues its switchbacking ascent a half mile farther before leading to a broad meadow where wildflowers abound in season, including lupine, Indian paintbrush, and hound’s tongue. The path meanders toward and away from seasonal Bear Creek, through lodgepole and western white pine as it ascends a massive granite crest (9800´). Past a false summit, the tread reaches a gap; Kaiser Peak is visible as the trail descends from the gap. Jewel Lake (larger) and Campfire Lake (smaller and farther away) can be seen nearly 400 feet below to the northeast.

Gain Kaiser Peak’s summit by taking a short, signed spur trail (10,250´) on the right that leads northward a short distance.